Quepem SDM Orders Immediate Removal of Unauthorized CNG Facility in Cacora
The sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Quepem has issued a strict directive to Indian Oil Adani Gas Pvt Ltd, ordering the company to dismantle an unauthorized CNG storage and distribution facility located in Cacora, Curchorem, within a seven-day timeframe. This decisive action comes in response to significant safety concerns, as the installation is situated dangerously close to a school for special children and a government Industrial Training Institute (ITI).
Safety Inspection Reveals Critical Violations
Deputy collector Manohar Karekar enforced the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, following a comprehensive inspection conducted by the Quepem mamlatdar and the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council. The inspection uncovered alarming details:
- A total of 20 CNG cylinders, each with a capacity of 150kg, were installed and connected to a pipeline and distribution unit without obtaining the necessary statutory clearances.
- The company failed to secure essential permits, including a construction licence, land use conversion sanad, and a fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC).
- The facility's location poses a direct threat, being merely 75 meters from the ITI and approximately 250 meters from the Chetna Charitable Trust's school for special children.
Regulatory Deficiencies and Rejections
The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) identified multiple deficiencies during its assessment and subsequently declined to grant approval for the CNG facility. This regulatory rejection underscores the severe safety lapses associated with the unauthorized installation.
The land in question is owned by the Deu Mahadev Devasthan and had been leased to Indian Oil Adani Gas. The company had intended to establish a de-compression unit as part of a network authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), with various permissions still pending approval at the time of the inspection.
SDM's Firm Stance and Warning
The SDM firmly rejected the company's justification based on pending applications, stating unequivocally that "applications do not justify hazardous installations." In a stern warning, the magistrate emphasized that failure to comply with the removal order would result in the demolition of the facility, with all associated costs borne by the company. This move highlights the authorities' commitment to prioritizing public safety over commercial interests, especially in sensitive areas near educational institutions.
